Well, it's official: I'm going back to Japan! Wrestling will obviously be a big part of it (I'll be there during the WrestleKingdom week), but I'm going to enjoy myself - any "meets" will be a bonus, and likely to be at actual events, not on the street stuff, unless something just falls into my lap.

Flight booked, hotel booked, two week stay - 10 years to the week of my last trip. Can't wait.

Myself and the girlfriend are strongly considering heading to Japan mid next year. We're in a good spot because right now she works casually and my employer is fine with employees taking time off. We're excited to soak in the culture and watch some sumo, karate, visit historical Japanese sites and all that other tourist stuff. Of course professional wrestling is also on the cards.

I'm looking to attend some of the more expensive events. Looking to go to Michinoku Pro to see Sasuke, Shinzaki and Dick Togo. Of course Kaientai Dojo will be on the list also so I can see Taka Michinoku. Real Japan held an event in September which featured Original Tiger Mask, Tajiri and Ultimo Dragon so if they're offering a card like that I'd certainly attend (Tickets run at about 60.00 for the cheap seats). Apart from those I'll probably attend some of the smaller and cheaper events although it seems in Japan the only time you can find ten dollar show tickets is if you're a student or if you're attending a dojo show.

The two weekw I'm going, I could pretty much go to Korakuen Hall every day to see wrestling, and often see two in one day. It's insane how much wrestling is going on in the same city and the same venues.

AJ, will you be seeing Tiger Mask (Sayama), Kensuke Sasaki, Tiger Chung Lee or any of the '70s / '80s / '90s wrestlers who worked the territories or WCW?

At this point, it doesn't look likely, unless it's by dumb luck. There's several retired Japanese wrestlers who own bars/restaurants in Tokyo, or still make the occasional cameo match at shows, but I haven't come across any information on any of those people yet.

AJ, will you be seeing Tiger Mask (Sayama), Kensuke Sasaki, Tiger Chung Lee or any of the '70s / '80s / '90s wrestlers who worked the territories or WCW?

At this point, it doesn't look likely, unless it's by dumb luck. There's several retired Japanese wrestlers who own bars/restaurants in Tokyo, or still make the occasional cameo match at shows, but I haven't come across any information on any of those people yet.

Hypothetically lets once again say you're in Tokyo and you're there right now (Randomly at the end of November where no big shows are held) and aren't willing to travel an hour out of Tokyo. Names appearing in your 2 weeks:

So in a 2 week period that's quite a few name talents. TAKA, Muta, Togo, Original Tiger Mask, Marafuji, Dory Funk, Omori, Akiyama, Tajiri and Nishimura are all guys I'd class as "legends" of Japanese wrestling. A few TNA guys and NOSAWA Rongai has done quite a bit of work in North America.

This is just a random two weeks. You're there during the grand daddy of them all in terms of Japanese wrestling. Assuming you get there December 31st you'd get to see the joint BJW/DDT/K-Dojo show they hold every year on January 1st, NJPW January 4th and already six weeks out AJPW, BJW, DDT, K-Dojo, NOAH and of course NJPW are running in Tokyo during that one week. I'm sure pretty much everyone who is worth a damn in Japanese wrestling will be in Tokyo the same time you're there.

I'd be curious how to get those wrestlers. Outside of the show? Do they have pre-show signings?

When I was there last it was 2008, so things may have changed, but during my last trip, just about every show (other than the big Tokyo Dome one) had merch tables set up either before or after where the workers were available. And the couple of times my group tried for street meets, either before or after a show, we were literally the only ones waiting and everybody we saw stopped, so apparently (at least 10 years ago) the Japanese local fans hadn't "ruined" wrestlers from stopping outside of shows.

If somebody's in Tokyo, chances are that there's a lot more cool things to do or see than there will be time for, so if a guy's at an advertised show that you want, I'd just buy a ticket and get him inside. Between the money spent and the limited time available, you don't need to be wasting hours waiting outside a parking lot for a wrestler who would quickly and easily sign inside the venue.